Loss of Bladder or Bowel Control (LOBC)—typically known as incontinence affects millions. Incontinence often is a symptom of other conditions, or a side effect from medications, diet and nutrition habits or lifestyle changes. Incontinence is a manageable issue with the right products, treatment and information. Prevail® designs products and programs to provide unsurpassed protection and comfort that allow people with LOBC to live comfortably, feel more confident and be more involved with those around them.

Incontinence affects 25 million Americans, and 75-80% are women, 9-13 million of whom have bothersome-to-severe symptoms. Approximately 1 in 4 women 18 years of age or older experience episodes of involuntary loss of bladder control. Two out of three women who experience loss of bladder control symptoms do not use any treatment or product to manage their incontinence. (1,2)

If you or a loved one experience LOBC, take advantage of the products and treatments that are now available. Prevail® offers a full spectrum of incontinence products for your changing needs.

Prevail® Premium Washcloths, “Soft Pak” designed for single hand dispensing to reduce waste and provide added convenience. Prevail wipes are the go to personal cleaning product of caregivers and users because of the single hand dispensing technology, quilted texture, and soft & strong Tri-Form Fabric ™ enhanced with vitamin E & aloe for skin wellness.

Prevail® Bladder Control Pads, are designed for light unpredictable leakage associated with stress incontinence.

Individually wrapped for your convenience. Feminine, discreet and reliable protection comes in a variety of sizes and absorbencies.

Prevail® Underwear for Women, is as pretty as it is functional. Maximum Absorbent underwear designed for Women that has a discreet and fast-absorbing core. Innovative features of the Prevail Underwear for Women include:
• Odor Guard
• Back Label
• Breathable Zones
• Cloth-Like Outer Fabric
• QUICK WICK with MaxSoft

Prevail® is about hope. It’s about trust. It’s about dignity. When you take back control, you Prevail®.

Incontinence is not a disease. Don’t just live with your incontinence, consult your physician if you are experiencing bladder control problems. Your physician will evaluate your condition, suggest medical interventions and make recommendations for managing the symptoms. If your physician recommends incontinence products to help manage your symptoms there are many options to meet your needs. Since 1997 AllegroMedical.com has been providing incontinence products and home health and wellness supplies to consumers and caregivers.

Falling at any age is a frightening experience. Parents with toddlers do all they can to minimize injuries from falls. Helmets are no longer just for professional bicyclists, all ages wear them to mitigate head injuries from falls. They’ve become the status quo. Seniors are especially vulnerable to falls and each year, one in three elderly adults age 65 or older will experience a fall according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).1 Older adults need help to reduce the risk of falling, especially in the bathroom where a few simple additions can help your loved one remain independent and safe.

Abelware® independent living products are known for innovation and ease of use. AllegroMedical.com recommends three popular Abelware® bathroom assist items to help prevent falls by making your bathroom safer.

Sliding Rotating Transfer Bench –is the newest innovation of the Abelware® line of bathroom benches. The smooth sliding feature allows a person to glide across the bench with minimal effort to gain safe entry into a bathtub or shower while the rotating swivel top easily transfers the person into the bathing area. This bench completely eliminates the risk of falling while trying to step over a shower ledge or into a bathtub.

Extra Wide Tall-Ette Elevated Toilet Seat with Aluminum Legs – is designed to help users with lower extremity weakness or balance issues. This elevated toilet seat provides stability while moving from a sit-stand or stand-sit position.

Extra Wide Raised Toilet Seat with Aluminum Legs

Groovy Grip Grab Bars – are attractive, plastic, wall mounted grab bars with a grooved surface that provide a non-slip grasp even while wet. Grab bars are a necessity in bathrooms to help individuals maintain balance.

The addition of these bath safety items will give you piece-of-mind and help you keep your elderly loved one or patient from becoming another fall statistic. AllegroMedical.com is here to help keep your senior parents or patients independent and safe.

Pressure ulcers also referred to as bedsores or pressure sores, are skin and tissue injuries caused by prolonged pressure to the skin. Pressure ulcers are commonly found on the “bony” parts of your body including ankles, heels, hips and buttocks. 1 If left untreated, pressure sores can compromise your health and even lead to death.

What factors cause pressure ulcers?

Decubitus ulcers occur when extended periods of pressure limit blood supply to underlying tissues and skin. People with medical conditions such as paralysis or immobility, which limit a person’s ability to shift weight or change positions, are at risk for pressure ulcers. Additionally, confinement to a bed for extended periods of time can lead to pressure ulcers.1

How pressure ulcers are treated?

Pressure sores are categorized into four stages:

Stage I ulcers are not actually open wounds. The skin may be very sensitive with a reddish appearance and could feel softer or firmer than the skin around it. When you press the ulcer it will not blanch or lose color when your finger is removed.2

Stage I pressure sores are often treated by incorporating pressure reduction products such as special cushions, mattress pads, and heel protectors. A person confined to a bed or wheelchair should change position frequently, every two hours if bed confined.1

J2 Pressure Reduction Cushion

Drive Pressure Reduction Mattress Pad with Pump

Stage II is when an ulcer forms and the skin has the appearance of a blister, scrape, or shallow crater which is tender or painful. At Stage II ulcerated skin may die or not be repairable. Treatment for a Stage II pressure sore incorporates Stage I pressure relieving techniques and products. Additionally, debridement, the removal of dead tissues from the wound, is added to treatment. 1 Debridement may include a wound dressing such as Iodosorb/Iodoflex which are iodine based products. Always consult your physician when treating pressure sores.

Iodoosorb/Iodoflex Wound Care

Stage III pressure sores are worsening ulcers that may show fat cells without visibility of muscle, tendon, or bone in the wound. They have the appearance of a small crater. 1

Stage IV pressure ulcers are deep sores extended into the muscle and bone with extensive damage to deeper tissues.

Consult with your physician for additional treatment options for Stage III/IV. Serious complications can arise if infection forms or the pressure ulcer progresses.2

Prevention of pressure ulcers is the ultimate treatment since it is easier to prevent a sore than treat. If you suspect you or a loved one have a pressure sore consult your physician for immediate care. AllegroMedical.com has been providing wound care, pressure relief products, and medical supplies since 1997.

If you suffer from diabetes understanding the causes and symptoms of a diabetic foot ulcer can prevent long term wound care treatment, hospitalization, or non-traumatic lower extremity amputation. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, an estimated 15% of diabetics experience a diabetic foot ulcer, which is an open sore likely found on the bottom of your foot.1

Why do foot ulcers form?

There are several factors that can lead to diabetic foot ulcers such as poor circulation, lack of feeling due to neuropathy, foot deformities (bunions), and irritation from pressure or friction. Neuropathy develops in individuals who have diabetes for many years. Overtime in diabetics, the elevated blood glucose levels cause the neuropathy or nerve damage, resulting in either little or no ability to feel foot pain. A healthy lifestyle is important for patients with diabetes since using alcohol and tobacco or being an unhealthy weight contribute to likelihood of developing foot ulcers.1

What are the symptoms of diabetic foot ulcers?

Pain is not a common symptom of foot ulcer since most individuals with these ulcers have reduced or no feeling from neuropathy. A common first symptom is drainage from the ulcer (exudate) that is visible on your sock. Redness and swelling of your feet are other indications an ulcer is forming. Odor is a severe symptom that an ulcer has advanced significantly.

What should I do if symptoms are present?

Seek a podiatrist immediately if you have any diabetic ulcer symptoms. It is imperative to begin healing an ulcer as soon as possible to reduce the risk of infection. Delays in treatment can lead to infection and non-traumatic foot amputations.

If you are experiencing heel pain when you take your first steps after getting out of bed in the morning or sitting for an extended period of time, talk to your doctor about plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis (fashee-EYE-tiss) occurs when your plantar fascia, the ligament that provides support to your foot arch, becomes strained and swollen. Therefore, pain is felt in the bottom of your foot or heel when you walk or stand, especially in the morning. You might notice the pain subside the more you move your feet; unfortunately, your feet will hurt as you continue on throughout the day.1

Treatment for plantar fasciitis varies per individual. AllegroMedical.com suggests the following tips to help you reduce foot pain caused by plantar fasciitis:

If it hurts don’t do it. Try performing activities that won’t aggravate your foot pain. If you run for exercise switch to swimming or water aerobics. Avoid walking or running on hard surfaces.

Ice your heel to reduce pain and swelling.

Prior to getting out of bed in the morning do a few toe and calf stretches.

Get shoes with good arch support and shock absorption to cushion your heel or foot.

“This is the best move I could have made for heel comfort and support. I am a police officer in a big city and I am on my feet a lot. I also have recently gotten heel spurs on my left foot, very painful. The Tuli heavy futy gel heel cup has made all the difference. No more pain when I am on patrol..”

Review by AllegroMedical.com customer, kmack from long island new york

“Used nightly, the foot does not have a chance for the tendons to tighten up and cause pain the next morning.”

-Review by AllegroMedical.com customer, Mary Ann from Destin, Florida

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain with approximately 2 million patients treated annually. Nonsurgical treatments like the ones suggested above will show significant pain improvement within 10 months of beginning treatment for more than 90% of patients. 2

AllegroMedical.com has been providing orthopedics/orthotics and medical equipment to help individuals with orthopedic pain since 1997. Always consult your physician if you are experiencing plantar fasciitis symptoms to rule out more serious conditions.

You suffer from osteoarthritis and your knee pain is unbearable. After years of limited mobility and the inability to maintain an active lifestyle, you agree to have an orthopedic surgeon examine your knee. The surgeon determines you are a good candidate for a Total Knee Replacement (TKR). Most patients undergoing TKR are 50 to 80 years of age. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons a reduction of knee pain is experienced by more than 90% of TKR patients. Additionally, basic activities of daily living significantly improved.1 Preparation for your joint replacement will help ease the stress of major surgery. AllegroMedical.com provides 3 Tips to help you prepare for your Total Knee Replacement Surgery.

1. Identify Your Support Team

2. Prepare Your Body

3. Make Your Home Safe

Identify Your Support Team

Who will care for you after you are released from the hospital? If you do not have a caregiver at home you will need to arrange for care in a rehabilitation facility. Establish an individual for driving you to and from appointments. Utilize a medical transport service if you don’t have a caregiver to drive you to appointments. Make sure your caregiver attends pre-op appointments and clearly understands the expectations required to keep you safe and healthy.

Prepare Your Body

During your evaluation with your doctor discuss your current lifestyle, medications and dietary supplements you are taking. If you smoke cigarettes your doctor will advise you to stop. Smoking increases your risks for complications and will extended your recovery time. Smoking specifically is linked to delays in wound healing from surgical procedures.2 If you drink your doctor will likely recommend no alcohol 48 hours prior to your procedure. Additionally, you may be asked to stop taking dietary supplements or other medications one or two weeks prior to surgery.3 Practice your post-op therapy exercises prior to surgery to give you confidence and build the foundation for a successful therapy program.

Make Your Home Safe

Once you are home from surgery daily living tasks become challenging. Preparing your home in advance will allow you a safe and more independent recovery period. Set-up a “Healing Center” in your home for your recovery. In the “Healing Center” you will want bottled water, facial tissue, hand lotion, lip balm, waste basket, reading glasses, pen and paper, remote control and reacher. Include items that will keep you mentally occupied such as your favorite magazine, book, crossword puzzles, Sudoku, iPad, Kindle, and Television.

Raised Toilet Seat

Modify your bathroom to include durable medical equipment like grab bars, shower chair with hand held shower, and raised toilet seat.Getting on and off the toilet without hurting your operated knee is risky business without a raised toilet. Practice using a walker or rollator in your home to make sure you can fit through the bedroom and bathroom doors. The last thing you need after surgery is a surprise that you won’t be able to sleep in your bed or use your bathroom. If you find you can’t fit through these areas set-up a temporary sleeping quarters, you might need to move your bed into the living room and use a bedside commode for toileting. Pick up any unsecured throw rugs and clutter that will put you at risk for falls.

Since 1997 Allegro Medical has been a leading supplier of medical equipment and medical supplies. If you are scheduled for knee replacement surgery rely on AllegroMedical.com for all of your bathroom assists, daily living aids, and mobility equipment to keep you safe and independent during or after your recovery.

Flu season is unpredictable and varies from season to season with new flu strains appearing each year. Typically, flu season peaks in January or February; however, flu activity can begin starting around October.

It is important to protect yourself from the flu by incorporating daily preventative steps:

Keep away from people showing signs of sickness.

Frequently wash your hands to prevent spreading germs.

If you are experiencing flu symptoms, e.g. coughing, sneezing, fever, or sore throat stay home from school or work to prevent spreading the flu to others.

Get a flu vaccine every year!1

If you have contracted the flu and you are having difficulty breathing your doctor may prescribe a breathing treatment to administer medicine. Nebulizers deliver medication directly to your lungs with less effort than a traditional inhaler. Additionally, a nebulizer unlike oral medication that passes through the blood stream enters directly into your lungs for immediate treatment.2

If you are experiencing respiratory problems AllegroMedical.com presents our most economical model, the Drive Medical Power Neb Ultra Nebulizer. This nebulizer is only 3.2 lbs. and delivers fast treatment times with built in hands free neb kit holder. Always consult your physician regarding treatment options.

Since 1997 Allegro Medical has been a leading supplier of respiratory therapy supplies and medical equipment to healthcare providers and consumers. If you are combating the flu or suffering from respiratory problems rely on AllegroMedical.com for all of you respiratory therapy and cold/flu season product needs.

Adult briefs and protective underwear are used by many of the 25 million Americans suffering from incontinence.1 Our landfills receive 18 billion disposable diapers every year of which disposable diapers account for 1.5% of total municipal solid waste generation in landfills. 1,2 According to the U.S. National Park Service; Mote Marine Lab, Sarasota, FL it takes 450 years for a disposable diaper to decompose.3 Reducing the use of disposable incontinence undergarments is one step in waste prevention that can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Excessive greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere upset the natural atmospheric balance resulting in climate change.4

How does using reusable incontinence underwear help reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

Waste management includes the use of incinerators in the combustion of waste items such as adult diapers.4

Methane emissions from landfills occur when materials decompose.4

Keeping trees in the forest instead of wood pulp for absorbent diaper cores allows for them to filter carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. 1,4

Wearever Incontinence briefs for men and incontinence panties for women offer individuals suffering from bladder control an Eco-Friendly, stylish, affordable alternative to the industry standard adult diapers and incontinence pads.

Variety of styles that look and feel like real underwear without the noise of adult diapers

Unique-Dri™ highly absorbent sewn in pad for all-day comfort

No pad changes keep you living an active lifestyle

Washable up to 250 times, projected annual savings up to $473

Agion™ antimicrobial fibers help combat odor-causing bacteria

Wearever Lovely Lace Trim Incontinence Panties are an attractive affordable alternative to disposable incontinence products. These lace panties are designed for light to moderate incontinence. A super absorbent Unique-Dri™ pad is sewn into the underwear eliminating the need to purchase a disposable pad or insert. Specially designed antimicrobial fibers fight bacteria causing odor keeping you feeling fresh all day.

Wearever Incontinence Boxer Briefs for men are more comfortable and discreet than adult diapers. You can feel the difference. These boxer briefs are made of a soft cotton/poly jersey Agion™ fabric with a sewn-in super absorbent pad for light to moderate incontinence. Convenient fly-front jockey style just like traditional men’s briefs.

Incontinence is not a disease. Don’t just live with your incontinence, consult your physician if you are experiencing bladder control problems. Your physician will evaluate your condition, suggest medical interventions and make recommendations for managing the symptoms. If your physician recommends incontinence products to help manage your symptoms there are many options to meet your needs. Sine 1997 AllegroMedical.com has been providing incontinence supplies and home health and wellness products to consumers and caregivers.

In the spinal cord injury (SCI) population bladder cancer incidence is around 3% versus the less than 1% in the general population. Although bladder cancer typically is 100 times more likely in SCI individuals, it is still rather uncommon. Survivors of spinal cord injury have more concerns with complications of pressure sores, kidney failure and spinal cord cysts. The risk of bladder cancer increases with the use of a “foley” or “indwelling” catheter or even a suprapubic catheter. The main culprit for bladder cancer is bladder irritation. Recurrent or frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs) or bladder infections, repeat bladder stones, and irritation resulting from catheters are known bladder irritants. Consult your doctor about your risk of developing bladder cancer if you use catheters especially foley or suprapubic. Your urologist can inspect your bladder, which is recommended around 5 years after your SCI. 1,2

What intermittent catheters contain known carcinogens?

Most catheters contain the plasticizer di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). This chemical is listed by the State of California as a known carcinogen.3 with potential for increased incidence of cancer and reproductive harm. Catheters not produced by Cure Medical may contain DEHP and BPA (bisephenol A). BPA has been around since the 1960′s and until recently was a chemical used in almost all hard plastics and epoxy resins which are the linings inside cans and food containers.4 Today it is common practice to see BPA-free labeling in baby bottles and formula, plastic containers, and food packaging. In fact, the FDA recently amended the food additive regulations regarding infant formula and packaging because of the BPA-free changes in industry practice.5 It only makes sense that other industries will follow suit and provide BPA-free products in the production of catheters.

Cure Medical boasts it “is the first and only company to manufacture all of its products without DEHP, a known carcinogen, without latex, a common allergen, and without BPA.” Cure catheters were designed to provide a quality product that is DEHP, BPA, and latex free. Additionally, they are always smooth, fire-polished eyelets making for a gentler catheterization experience. Users can see and feel the difference.6

Cure Coude and Straight Tip Intermittent Catheters

Cure Medical Catheters are available from AllegroMedical.com. We are here to help provide you with medical supplies and medical equipment to help you stay healthy and live an active and independent life.

Elderly incontinent patients in nursing homes are vulnerable to urinary tract infections (UTIs) and skin conditions. The federal government and states have guidelines in place to ensure patients receive quality consistent personal care. Government regulations require facilities to provide residents with a personal care routine that includes clean and dry skin from urine and feces.1 Facilities typically change a patient’s adult brief or adult diaper approximately every two hours to ensure compliance with personal care guidelines. These frequent changes force facilities to consider cost over quality and comfort when selecting adult diapers or protective underwear. Adult diapers have improved in absorbency and quality over the years. Specialty fibers that are highly absorbent and unique cores that incorporate quick wick technology to pull moisture away from the body help foster healthy skin. High quality incontinence products typically have a higher price tag. Whether you are a caregiver in a nursing home, hospice facility or home setting AllegroMedical.com offers you value branded diapers to meet your patients’ incontinence needs.

Staydry Breathable Briefs made by McKesson are for heavy urinary incontinence and offer users comfort and superior leakage protection at an economical price by incorporating Sophisticated Sectioning System technology (S3).

McKesson’s Staydry Breathable Adult Diaper is well respected in the homecare community with a price per diaper of $.35-$.56 from AllegroMedical.com.

Tranquility ATN (All-Through-the-Night) Disposable Adult Diapers provide maximum absorbency holding over 32 ounces of fluid. According to the manufacturer at the core of the Tranquility ATN brief is the “Peach Mat Construction” which neutralizes urine and inhibits bacterial growth which helps to reduce UTI’s in incontinence patients.2 This patented construction promotes skin dryness and odor control all while providing uninterrupted sleep for your patients without jeopardizing skin health. Tranquility ATN is a trusted premium adult brief with a price per diaper of $.73-$1.19 from AllegroMedical.com.

Fifty percent of nursing home residents in the U.S. are living with some form of incontinence. Urinary and fecal incontinence care in the elderly contributes to a significant portion of nursing home care dollars spent annually.3 Balancing your budget and skin health of residents is challenging. AllegroMedical.com has been assisting homecare facilities with affordable quality medical supplies like incontinence products since 1997.